Alpha-alumina flakes

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to alumina flakes having a defined thickness and particle size distribution and to their use in varnishes, paints, automotive coatings printing inks, masterbatches, plastics and cosmetic formulations and as substrate for effect pigments. and organic dyes.

The present invention relates to α-Al₂O₃ flakes and to the use thereofin paints, industrial coatings, automotive coatings, printing inks,cosmetic formulations and in particular as transparent substrate foreffect pigments.

Imparting a pearlescent luster, metallic luster, color flop ormulticolor effect can be achieved by using pearlescent pigments based onnatural or synthetic transparent flakes. Pearlescent pigments based onα-Al₂O₃ flakes are well-known in the literature and commerciallyavailable under the trademark Xirallic® from Merck.

The important factors of a substrate for an effect pigment are theparticle size, shape, surface property, refractive index and the like.Since large and small particles have different proportions of reflectionand transmission of light on the particle surface, uniformness inparticle size is essential for a vivid and uniform color. Also theparticle size greatly affects the coloration of the pearlescent pigmentbecause it is closely related with the wavelength of the light. That is,the smaller the particle size, the larger the surface area, therebyincreasing the coloration and enhancing reflectivity, and offering amore vivid color. However, in coating metals or metal oxides on thesurface of the Al₂O₃ flakes, it is usually not easy to provide uniformcoatings on them and thus results in a decrease in the aspect ratio,which then reduces the effect of light interference thus deterioratingglossiness of the resulting pearlescent colors.

α-Al₂O₃ in the form of hexagonal flakes having a particle diametergreater than 10 μm and an aspect ratio (particle diameter/thickness) of5-10 is known from Japanese Patent Publication No. 111239/1982.

The Japanese Patent Publication No. 72572/1991 discloses α-Al₂O₃ in theform of flakes having an average particle diameter of 0.5-3 μm.

The Japanese Patent Publication No. 39362/1992 describes Al₂O₃ in theform of fine platy particles of a hexagonal crystal system with theplane perpendicular to the c axis grown into a plate. Al₂O₃ flakescomposed of aluminum oxide (as a major constituent) and of titaniumdioxide (as a minor constituent) are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,702,519. The Al₂O₃ flakes have an average particle diameter of about5-60 μm, a thickness less than 1 μm, and an aspect ratio of >20.

WO 2006/101306 A1 and WO 2008/026829 A1 relate to zinc doped Al₂O₃flakes and to pearlescent pigments based on these Al₂O₃ flakes. TheAl₂O₃ flakes have an average thickness of 0.5 μm or less and an averageparticle diameter of 15 μm and a large aspect ratio (diameter/thickness)of 50 μm. These zinc doped Al₂O₃ flakes are not stable under acidicconditions and thus not suitable for all applications.

The Al₂O₃ flakes of the prior art have the disadvantages that they donot have a high chemical stability and/or have not the desiredsmoothness for the use of the flakes in cosmetic and paint applications.

The object of the present invention is to provide improved Al₂O₃ flakeshaving at the same time a high chemical stability, a smooth surface andhigh whiteness.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that the properties of the aluminaflakes as such and of effect pigments based on alumina flakes can beincreased by using alumina flakes with precisely defined dimensions andparticle size distribution. Especially the optical properties of thealumina flakes and the effect pigments based on alumina flakes can beinfluenced by altering the particle size distribution.

Thus, the present invention relates to transparent alumina flakes whichare distinguished by the fact that they have a thickness of ≥500 nm anda D₉₀ ⁻ value of 30-45 nm and a D₅₀-value of 15-30 μm.

Compared to the prior art, the Al₂O₃ flakes according to the presentinvention show improved optical properties, in particular by theirshimmer or glimmer effect combined with an increased chroma and lusterand at the same time show a high chemical stability in all applications.

Since the coated and uncoated Al₂O₃ flakes according to the inventioncombine high gloss with intense interference colors and highlypronounced glitter effects, particularly effective effects can beachieved with them in various application media.

The alumina flakes according to the invention are used, in particular,as substrate for effect pigments, especially for the use in industrialapplications. However, they can also be employed in all formulationswhere alumina flakes are usually employed, such as, for example, ininks, coatings, preferably automotive coatings, plastics, cosmeticformulations and as substrate for effect pigments.

The Al₂O₃ flakes of this invention have a particle size distributioncharacterized by a Gaussian distribution in which the volume sizefractions are distributed as follows:

-   -   D₅₀ is in the range of 15-30 μm, preferably 15-25 μm    -   D₉₀ is in the range of 30-45 μm, preferably 30-40 μm.

In this patent application D₁₀, D₅₀ and D₉₀ of the alumina flakes areevaluated by using Malvern MS 2000.

The particle size distribution D₅₀ is also known as the median diameteror the medium value of the particle size distribution, it is the valueof the particle diameter at 50% in the cumulative distribution and isone of the important parameter characterizing the particle size ofpigments.

Correspondingly, the D₉₀ value indicates the maximum longitudinaldimensions of the Al₂O₃ flakes, as determined again by means of lasergranulometry in the form of sphere equivalents, which 90% of theparticles attain at maximum, or fall below, out of the entirety of allAl₂O₃ particles.

In a preferred embodiment, the Al₂O₃ flakes according to the presentinvention have a standard deviation of thickness distribution of lessthan 80, preferably 5-60 and in particular 10-50.

In a preferred embodiment the D₁₀ value of the alumina flakes accordingto the present invention is <9.5, preferably 9.0.

The D₁₀ value indicates the value of the longitudinal dimension of theAl₂O₃ flakes, as determined by means of laser granulometry in the formof the sphere equivalent, which 10% of the flakes attain at most, orfall below, out of the entirety of all the Al₂O₃ flakes.

The average thickness is determined on the basis of a cured paint filmin which the Al₂O₃ flakes are oriented substantially plane-parallel tothe substrate. For this purpose a transverse section of the cured paintfilm is examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM), thethickness of 100 Al₂O₃ flakes being ascertained and statisticallyaveraged.

The desired size and thickness distribution can be obtained by suitableclassification of the flakes, such as by classifying through selectedscreens and the like.

The Al₂O₃ flakes according to the invention have a thickness of ≥500 nm,preferably 550-1000 nm, in particular 600-900 nm.

The Al₂O₃ flakes according to the invention preferably have an aspectratio (diameter/thickness ratio) of 15-60, in particular of 20-45.

In a preferred embodiment the Al₂O₃ flakes of the present invention areα-Al₂O₃ flakes.

The Al₂O₃ flakes according to the invention can be prepared by methodsknown per se, as described in the literature.

In a preferred embodiment the Al₂O₃ flakes are prepared starting from anaqueous aluminum salt solution by precipitation with an aqueous alkalicarbonate solution. An alkali metal salt like sodium or potassiumsulfate and phosphoric acid or phosphate as well as a dopant like atitanium compound are added to the starting solution. The precipitationstep is followed by drying (evaporation, dehydration by heating) andmolten salt treatment including the following steps:

The Al₂O₃ flakes can be prepared by methods known per se, as describedin the literature.

In a preferred embodiment the Al₂O₃ flakes are prepared starting from anaqueous aluminum salt solution by precipitation with an aqueous alkalicarbonate solution. An alkali metal salt like sodium or potassiumsulfate and phosphoric acid or and phosphate as and optionally at leastone dopant, for example a titanium, zirconium, silica, indium, tin, zincor indium compound are added to the starting solution. The precipitationstep is followed by drying (evaporation, dehydration by heating), andmolten salt treatment including the following steps:

-   (1) Preparation of an aqueous solution or a slurry of at least one    water-soluble and/or insoluble aluminum salt,-   (2) Adding an alkali solution to the aluminum salt solution to    precipitate aluminum hydroxide particles, and adding a phosphorous    compound and optionally at least one dopant to the aqueous solution    before, during or after the precipitation,-   (3) Evaporation of the water, followed by drying of the precipitated    product of step (2) to form the dried form of alumina containing    particle and alkali salt,-   (4) Calcination, preferably at temperatures of 900-1400° C., for    0.5-10 h, preferably 1-6 h, of the dried form obtained in step (3)    to obtain Al₂O₃ flakes in the molten salt,-   (5) Removing the water soluble part of the calcined material    obtained in step (4),-   (6) Adjust the particle size and thickness, for example by sieving,    milling and/or sedimentation.

Examples for suitable aluminum salts are aluminum sulfate, aluminumchloride, aluminum nitrate, poly aluminum chloride, aluminum hydroxide,boehmite, basic aluminum sulfate and combinations thereof.

Examples for suitable alkali metal salts which act as mineralizer,include sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, lithium sulfate, magnesiumsulfate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

The phosphoric compound is preferably selected from phosphoric acid,phosphates, diphosphoric acid, sodium phosphate, ammonium phosphatedibasic and potassium phosphate. The amount of one or more phosphorouscompound(s) is preferably 0.05-2 wt.% based on the alumina flakes.

The preferred example of the pH controlling agent for the precipitationis ammonia, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate,potassium carbonate and combinations thereof.

To control the particle size, thickness, optical properties and/orsurface morphology it could be helpful to add one or more dopants inamounts of 0.01-5 wt.% based on the Al₂O₃ flake.

The dopant is preferably selected from the following group of compounds:TiO₂, ZrO₂, SiO₂, In₂O₃, SnO₂, ZnO and combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment the dopant is TiO₂, preferably used in amountsof 0.05-3 wt.% based on the Al₂O₃ flakes.

The Al₂O₃ flakes according to the present invention are highly suitableas substrate in the preparation of effect pigments. To this end, theyare preferably coated with at least one high refractive index layer,like at least one layer of a metal oxide, such as, for example, TiO₂,ZrO₂, SnO₂, ZnO, Ce₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, FeTiO₅, Cr₂O₃, CoO, Co₃O₄, VO₂,V₂O₃, NiO, furthermore of titanium suboxides (TiO₂ partially reducedwith oxidation states from <4 to 2, such as the lower oxides Ti₃O₅,Ti₂O₃, TiO), titanium oxynitrides, FeO(OH), thin semitransparent metallayer, for example comprising Al, Fe, Cr, Ag, Au, Pt or Pd, orcombinations thereof. The TiO₂ layer may be in the rutile or anatasemodification. In general, the highest quality and gloss and at the sametime the most stable effect pigments are obtained when the TiO₂ is inthe rutile modification. In order to obtain the rutile modification, anadditive can be used which is able to direct the TiO₂ into the rutilemodification. Useful rutile directors such as tin dioxide are disclosedin the U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,099 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,779 and EP 0 271767. Preferred effect pigments based on Al₂O₃ flakes are coated with oneor more layers of metal oxides, preferably with one metal-oxide layeronly, in particular with TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, SnO₂, ZrO₂ or Cr₂O₃.Especially preferred are Al₂O₃ flakes coated with TiO₂ or Fe₂O₃.

The thickness of each high-refractive-index layer depends on the desiredinterference color. The thickness of each layer on the surface of theAl₂O₃ flakes is preferably 20-400 nm, preferably 30-300 nm, inparticular 30-200 nm.

The number of layers on the surface of the Al₂O₃ flakes is preferablyone or two, furthermore three, four, five, six or seven layers.

In particular, interference packages consisting of high- andlow-refractive-index layers on the surface of the Al₂O₃ flakes result ineffect pigments having increased gloss and a further increasedinterference color or color flop.

Suitable colorless low-refractive-index materials for coating arepreferably metal oxides or the corresponding oxide hydrates, such as,for example, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, AIO(OH), B₂O₃, compounds such as MgF₂ or amixture of the said metal oxides.

In case of multilayers applied on the surface of the Al₂O₃ flakes theinterference system is, in particular, a TiO₂—SiO₂—TiO₂ layer sequence.

Furthermore, the effect pigments according to the invention may alsohave a semitransparent metal layer as outer layer. Coatings of this typeare known, for example, from DE 38 25 702 A1. The metal layers arepreferably chromium or aluminum layers having layer thicknesses of 5-25nm.

Al₂O₃ flakes can also be coated with one or more layers of a metal ormetal alloy selected e.g. from chromium, nickel, silver, bismuth,copper, tin, or hastalloy. Al₂O₃ flakes coated with a metal sulfide arecoated with sulfides e.g. of tungsten, molybdenum, cerium, lanthanum orrare earth elements.

Furthermore, the effect pigments based on Al₂O₃ flakes can be finallycoated with an organic dye as a top coat, preferably with Prussian Blueor Carmine Red.

Particularly preferred effect pigments based on the Al₂O₃ flakesaccording to the invention have the following layer sequence(s):

-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+Fe₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+Fe₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+Fe₃O₄-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+SiO₂+TiO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+Fe₂O₃+SiO₂+TiO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃+SiO₂+TiO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+SiO₂+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂ +SiO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+SiO₂/Al₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+Al₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+SnO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+SnO₂+TiO₂-   Al₂O₃flake+SnO₂+Fe₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+Fe₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+Fe₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+Fe₃O₄-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+SiO₂+TiO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+Fe₂O₃+SiO₂+TiO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃+SiO₂+TiO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+SiO₂+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+SiO₂-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+SiO₂/Al₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+Al₂O₃-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+Prussian Blue-   Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+Carmine Red

The TiO₂ layer(s) in the preferred embodiments mentioned above can be inthe rutile or anatase modification. The Al₂O₃ flakes mentioned above inthe preferred embodiments can be doped or undoped.

In this application, the term “coating” or “layer” is taken to mean thecomplete enveloping of the Al₂O₃ flakes according to the invention.

The effect pigments based on doped or undoped Al₂O₃ flakes preferablyconsist of 40-90 wt.% of Al₂O₃ flakes and 10-60 wt.% of the coatingbased on the total pigment.

The Al₂O₃ flakes can be coated by wet chemical coating, by CVD or PVDprocesses.

The coating of the α-Al₂O₃ flakes with one or more layers, preferablyone or more metal oxide layers, is preferably carried out bywet-chemical methods, it being possible to use the wet-chemical coatingmethods developed for the preparation of pearlescent pigments. Methodsof this type are described, for example, in DE 14 67 468, DE 19 59 988,DE 20 09 566, DE 22 14 545, DE 22 15 191, DE 22 44 298, DE 23 13 331, DE15 22 572, DE 31 37 808, DE 31 37 809, DE 31 51 343, DE 31 51 354, DE 3151 355, DE 32 11 602, DE 32 35 017 or also in further patent documentsand other publications known to the person skilled in the art.

In the case of wet coating, the Al₂O₃ flakes are suspended in water, andone or more hydrolysable metal salts are added at a pH which is suitablefor hydrolysis, which is selected in such a way that the metal oxides ormetal-oxide hydrates are precipitated directly onto the flakes withoutsecondary precipitations occurring. The pH is usually kept constant bysimultaneous metered addition of a base and/or acid. The pigments aresubsequently separated off, washed and dried at 50-150° C. for 6-18 hand calcined for 0.5-3 h, where the calcination temperature can beoptimised with respect to the respective coating present. In general,the calcination temperatures are 500-1000° C., preferably 600-900° C. Ifdesired, the pigments can be separated off after application ofindividual coatings, dried and optionally calcined and then re-suspendedagain for the application of the further layers.

The application of a SiO₂ layer to the Al₂O₃ flake and/or to the alreadycoated Al₂O₃ flake is generally carried out by addition of a potassiumor sodium water-glass solution at a suitable pH.

Furthermore, the coating can also be carried out in a fluidised-bedreactor by gas-phase coating, it being possible to use, for example, themethods proposed in EP 0 045 851 and EP 0 106 235 for the preparation ofpearlescent pigments correspondingly.

The hue and chroma of the effect pigment based on Al₂O₃ flakes accordingto the invention can be varied in very broad limits through thedifferent choice of the coating amounts or the layer thicknessesresulting therefrom. Fine tuning for a certain hue and chroma can beachieved beyond the pure choice of amount by approaching the desiredcolor under visual or measurement technology control.

In order to increase the light, water and weather stability, it isfrequently advisable, depending on the area of application, to subjectthe finished pigment to post-coating or post-treatment. Suitablepost-coatings or post-treatments are, for example, the processesdescribed in DE 22 15 191 C2, DE-A 31 51 354, DE-A 32 35 017 or DE-A 3334 598. This post-coating further increases the chemical andphotochemical stability or simplifies the handling of the pigment, inparticular the incorporation into various media. In order to improve theweatherability, dispersibility and/or compatibility with the user media,it is possible, for example, for functional coatings of Al₂O₃ or ZrO₂ ormixtures thereof to be applied to the pigment surface. Furthermore,organic post-coatings are possible, for example with silanes, asdescribed, for example, in EP 0090259, EP 0 634 459, WO 99/57204, WO96/32446, WO 99/57204, U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,255, U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,851,WO 01/92425 or in J. J. Ponjeé, Philips Technical Review, Vol. 44, No.3, 81 ff. and P. H. Harding J. C. Berg, J. Adhesion Sci. Technol. Vol.11 No. 4, pp. 471-493.

In accordance with the present invention, an effect pigment based onAl₂O₃ flakes having the desired size distribution has been found usefulin all types of compositions, including plastics, cosmetics, and, inparticular in automotive paints.

The Al₂O₃ flakes and the effect pigments based on Al₂O₃ flakes accordingto the invention are compatible with a multiplicity of color systems,preferably from the area of paints, automotive coatings, industrialcoatings, and printing inks and cosmetic formulations. For thepreparation of printing inks for, for example, gravure printing,flexographic printing, offset printing and offset overvarnishing, amultiplicity of binders, in particular water-soluble grades, as sold,for example, by BASF, Marabu, Pröll, Sericol, Hartmann, Gebr. Schmidt,Sicpa, Aarberg, Siegberg, GSB-Wahl, Follmann, Ruco or Coates Screen INKSGmbH, is suitable. The printing inks can be water-based orsolvent-based. The Al₂O₃ flakes and the effect pigments according to theinvention are furthermore also suitable for the laser marking of paperand plastics and for applications in the agricultural sector, forexample for greenhouse sheeting, and, for example, for the coloring oftent awnings.

It goes without saying that, for the various applications, the coatedand uncoated Al₂O₃ flakes according to the present invention can alsoadvantageously be used in blends with organic dyes, organic pigments orother pigments, such as, for example, transparent and opaque white,colored and black pigments, and with flake-form iron oxides, organicpigments, holographic pigments, LCPs (liquid crystal polymers) andconventional transparent, colored and black luster pigments based onmetal oxide-coated mica and SiO₂ flakes, etc. The pigments according tothe invention can be mixed in any ratio with commercially availablepigments and fillers.

Fillers which may be mentioned are, for example, natural and syntheticmica, nylon powder, pure or filled melamine resins, talc, SiO₂, glasses,kaolin, oxides or hydroxides of aluminum, magnesium, calcium or zinc,BiOCI, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesiumcarbonate, carbon, and physical or chemical combinations of thesesubstances. There are no restrictions regarding the particle shape ofthe filler. It can be, for example, flake-form, spherical orneedle-shaped in accordance with requirements.

The Al₂O₃ flakes and the effect pigments based on Al₂O₃ flakes accordingto the invention are simple and easy to handle. The Al₂O₃ flakes and theeffect pigments based on Al₂O₃ flakes can be incorporated into thesystem in which it is used by simple stirring. Laborious milling anddispersing of the Al₂O₃ flakes and the effect pigments is not necessary.

The Al₂O₃ flakes and the effect pigments based on Al₂O₃ flakes accordingto the invention can be used for pigmenting coating materials, printinginks, plastics, agricultural films, button pastes, for the coating ofseed, for the coloring of food, coatings of medicaments or cosmeticformulations. The concentration of the Al₂O₃ flakes and the effectpigments in the system in which it is to be used for pigmenting isgenerally between 0.01 and 50% by weight, preferably between 0.1 and 5%by weight, based on the overall solids content of the system. Thisconcentration is generally dependent on the specific application.

Plastics containing the Al₂O₃ flakes and the effect pigments based onAl₂O₃ flakes according to the invention in amounts of 0.1 to 50% byweight, in particular from 0.5 to 7% by weight, are frequently notablefor a particular gloss and shimmer effect.

In the coating sector, especially in automotive coating and automotivefinishing, the effect pigments based on Al₂O₃ flakes according to theinvention are employed in amounts of 0.5-10% by weight.

In the coating material, the Al₂O₃ flakes and the effect pigments basedon Al₂O₃ flakes according to the invention have the advantage that thedesired color and gloss is obtained by a single-layer coating (one-coatsystems or as a base coat in a two-coat system).

In the pigmentation of binder systems, for example for paints andprinting inks for intaglio, offset or screen printing, the effectpigments based on Al₂O₃ flakes with Stapa®-aluminum and gold bronzepastes from Eckart GmbH have proven particularly suitable. The effectpigment is incorporated into the printing ink in amounts of 2-50% byweight, preferably 5-30% by weight and, in particular, 8-15% by weight.The printing inks containing the effect pigment according to theinvention in combination with a metal effect pigment exhibits purer huesand is of improved printability owing to the good viscosity values.

The invention likewise provides pigment preparations containing coatedor uncoated Al₂O₃ flakes according to the present invention and furthereffect pigments, binders and, if desired, additives, the saidpreparations being in the form of substantially solvent-free,free-flowing granules. Such granules contain up to 95% by weight of theAl₂O₃ flakes or the effect pigments according to the invention. Apigment preparation in which the effect pigment based on Al₂O₃ flakes ofthe invention is pasted up with a binder and with water and/or anorganic solvent, with or without additives, and the paste issubsequently dried and brought into a compact particulate form, e.g.granules, pellets, briquettes, a masterbatch or tablets, is particularlysuitable as a precursor for printing inks.

The invention thus also relates to the use of the coated (=effectpigments) or uncoated Al₂O₃ flakes in formulations from the areas ofpaints, coatings, automobile coatings, automotive finishing, industrialcoatings, paints, powder coatings, printing inks, security printinginks, plastics, ceramic materials, cosmetics. The coated and uncoatedAl₂O₃ flakes can furthermore be employed in glasses, in paper, in papercoating, in toners for electrophotographic printing processes, in seed,in greenhouse sheeting and tarpaulins, in thermally conductive,self-supporting, electrically insulating, flexible sheets for theinsulation of machines or devices, as absorber in the laser marking ofpaper and plastics, as absorber in the laser welding of plastics, inpigment pastes with water, organic and/or aqueous solvents, in pigmentpreparations and dry preparations, such as, for example, granules, forexample in clear coats in the industrial and automobile sectors, insunscreens, as filler, in particular in automobile coatings andautomotive finishing.

All percentage data in this application are per cent by weight, unlessindicated otherwise.

The following examples are intended to explain the invention in greaterdetail, but without restricting it. Above and below, all percentages areper cent by weight.

EXAMPLES Comparative Example 1 (Example 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,519)

In 300 ml of deionized water are dissolved 111.9 g of aluminum sulfate18-hydrate, 57.3 g of anhydrous sodium sulfate, and 46.9 g of potassiumsulfate by heating above 60° C. To the resulting solution is added 1.0 gof 34.4% solution of titanyl sulfate. The resulting solution isdesignated as the aqueous solution (a).

In 150 ml of deionized water are 0.45 g of sodium tertiary phosphate12-hydrate and 54.0 g of sodium carbonate. The resulting solution isdesignated as the aqueous solution (b).

The aqueous solution (b) is added with stirring to the aqueous solution(a) kept at about 60° C. Stirring is continued for 15 minutes. Theresulting mixture of the two solutions is a gel. This gel is evaporatedto dryness, and the dried product is heated at 1200° C. for 5 hours.Water is added to the heated product to dissolve free sulfate. Insolublesolids are filtered off, washed with water, and finally dried. Theobtained alumina flake is examined by X-ray diffractometry. Thediffraction pattern has only peaks attributed to corundum structure(a-alumina structure).

D₅₀ is 13.0 μm and D₉₀ is 22.0 μm and the thickness is 200 nm.

Example 1 Preparation of the Al₂O₃ Flakes

74.6 g of aluminum sulfate 18-hydrate, 5.7 g of transition alumina(C10W: Nippon Light Metal Co., Ltd.), 57.3 g of anhydrous sodium sulfateand 46.9 g of potassium sulfate are dissolved in 450 ml of deionizedwater by heating above 60° C. To the resulting solution is added 1.2 gof 34.4% solution of titanyl sulfate. The resulting solution isdesignated as the aqueous solution (a).

In 300 ml of deionized water are 0.010 g of sodium tertiary phosphate12-hydrate and 55.0 g of sodium carbonate. The resulting solution isdesignated as the aqueous solution (b).

The aqueous solution (b) is added with stirring to the aqueous solution(a) kept at about 60° C. Stirring is continued for 30 minutes. Theresulting mixture of the two solutions is a slurry. This slurry isevaporated to dryness, and the dried product is heated at 1230° C. for4.5 hours. Water is added to the heated product to dissolve freesulfate. Insoluble solids are filtered off, washed with water, andfiltered by sieve with 25 micron opening. And finally it was dried. Theobtained alumina flake is examined by X-ray diffractometry. Thediffraction pattern have only peaks attributed to corundum structure(α-alumina structure). D₅₀ is 19.6 μm, D₉₀ is 38.8 μm and the averagethickness is 700 nm.

Comparative Example 1.1 Coating of Al₂O₃ Flakes

20 g of alumina flakes of Comparative Example 1 are suspended in 400 mlof deionized water. To the resulting suspension (kept at about 65° C.)is added a solution containing 125 g of TiCl₄ per liter. Simultaneouslya 10%) solution of NaOH was added to keep the pH at 2.1. The addition ofthe TiCl₄ solution is stopped when the resulting product takes on asilvery color. The suspending solids are filtered off, washed with waterand dried. Finally, the dried solids are calcined at 850° C. for 30minutes to give a whitish and a little glossy pearlescent pigment.

Example 1.1 Coating of Al₂O₃ Flakes

20 g of alumina flakes of Example 1 are suspended in 400 ml of deionizedwater. To the resulting suspension (kept at about 65° C.) is added asolution containing 125 g of TiCl₄ per liter. Simultaneously a 10%solution of NaOH was added to keep the pH at 2.1. The addition of theTiCl₄ solution is stopped when the resulting product takes on a silverycolor. The suspending solids are filtered off, washed with water anddried. Finally, the dried solids are calcined at 850° C. for 30 minutesto give a highly whitish and glossy pearlescent pigment with a strongglitter effect.

Comparative Example 1.2 Coating of Al₂O₃ Flakes

20 g alumina flakes of Comparative Example 1 are suspended in 400 ml ofdeionized water. To the resulting suspension (kept at about 75° C.) areadded a solution containing 300 g of FeCl₃ per liter. Simultaneously a10% solution of NaOH was added to keep the pH at 3.0. The addition ofthe FeCl₃ solution was stopped when the resulting product takes on amost reddish color. The suspending solids are filtered off, washed withwater, and dried. Finally, the dried solids are calcined at 800° C. for30 minutes to give a moderate luster and brownish red coloredpearlescent pigment.

Example 1.2 Coating of Al₂O₃ Flakes

20 g alumina flakes of Example 1 are suspended in 400 ml of deionizedwater. To the resulting suspension (kept at about 75° C.) are added asolution containing 300 g of FeCl₃ per liter. Simultaneously a 10%solution of NaOH was added to keep the pH at 3.0. The addition of theFeCl₃ solution was stopped when the resulting product takes on a mostreddish color. The suspending solids are filtered off, washed withwater, and dried. Finally, the dried solids are calcined at 800° C. for30 minutes to give a high luster and pure red colored pearlescentpigment with a strong glitter effect.

Comparative Example 1.3 Coating of Al₂O₃ Flakes

20 g alumina flakes of Comparative Example 1 are suspended in 400 ml ofdeionized water. To the resulting suspension (kept at about 65° C.) isadded a solution containing 50 g of SnCl₄ per liter. Simultaneously a10% solution of NaOH is added to keep the pH at 2.1 until the totaladding volume of SnCl₄ solution become 17 ml. Next the solutioncontaining 125 g of TiCl₄ per liter was added to the resultingsuspension. Simultaneously a 10% solution of NaOH is added to keep thepH at 2.1. The addition of the TiCl₄ solution is stopped when theresulting product takes on a silvery color. The suspending solids arefiltered off, washed with water, and dried. Finally, the dried solidsare calcined at 850° C. for 30 minutes to give a whitish and a littleglossy pearlescent pigment.

Example 1.3 Coating of Al₂O₃ Flakes

20 g alumina flakes of Example 1 are suspended in 400 ml of deionizedwater. To the resulting suspension (kept at about 65° C.) is added asolution containing 50 g of SnCl₄ per liter. Simultaneously a 10%solution of NaOH is added to keep the pH at 2.1 until the total addingvolume of SnCl₄ solution become 17 ml. Next the solution containing 125g of TiCl₄ per liter was added to the resulting suspension.Simultaneously a 10% solution of

NaOH is added to keep the pH at 2.1. The addition of the TiCl₄ solutionis stopped when the resulting product takes on a silvery color. Thesuspending solids are filtered off, washed with water, and dried.Finally, the dried solids are calcined at 850° C. for 30 minutes to givea highly whitish and highly glossy pearlescent pigment with a strongglitter effect. At the luster angle, the glossy appearance can be seenat a more wider angle compared to Comparative Example 1.3.

Comparative Example 1.4 Coating of Al₂O₃ Flakes

20 g alumina flakes of Comparative Example 1 are suspended in 400 ml ofdeionized water. To the resulting suspension (kept at about 65° C.) isadded a solution containing 125 g of TiCl₄ per liter. Simultaneously a10% solution of NaOH is added to keep the pH at 2.1. The addition of theTiCl₄ solution is stopped when the resulting product takes on ayellowish color. Then a solution containing 50 g of Na₂SiO₃ per liter isadded to the resulted suspension. Simultaneously a 10% solution of HClis added to keep the pH at 7. Next a solution containing 125 g of TiCl₄per liter is added to the resulted suspension. Simultaneously a 10%solution of NaOH is added to keep the pH at 2.1. The addition of theTiCl₄ solution is stopped when the resulting product takes on a bluishcolor. The suspending solids are filtered off, washed with water, anddried. Finally, the dried solids are calcined at 850° C. for 30 minutesto give a blue-whitish and a little glossy pearlescent pigment.

Example 1.4 Coating of Al₂O₃ Flakes

20 g alumina flakes of Example 1 are suspended in 400 ml of deionizedwater. To the resulting suspension (kept at about 65° C.) is added asolution containing 125 g of TiCl₄ per liter. Simultaneously a 10%solution of NaOH is added to keep the pH at 2.1. The addition of theTiCl₄ solution is stopped when the resulting product takes on ayellowish color. Then a solution containing 50 g of Na₂SiO₃ per liter isadded to the resulted suspension. Simultaneously a 10% solution of HClis added to keep the pH at 7. Next a solution containing 125 g of TiCl₄per liter is added to the resulted suspension. Simultaneously a 10%solution of NaOH is added to keep the pH at 2.1. The addition of theTiCl₄ solution is stopped when the resulting product takes on a bluishcolor. The suspending solids are filtered off, washed with water, anddried. Finally, the dried solids are calcined at 850° C. for 30 minutesto give a highly bluish and highly glossy pearlescent pigment with astrong glitter effect. At the luster angle, the stronger bluish colorand higher glossy appearance can be seen at a more wider angle comparedto Comparative Example 1.4.

Measurements

Evaluation for Particle Size D₁₀ D₅₀ and D₉₀

D₁₀, D₅₀ and D₉₀ of alumina flake are evaluated by using Malvern MS2000.

Determination of the thickness and particle size and the thicknessdistribution

0.01 g/l of the alumina flake slurry is prepared and 0.1 ml of thisslurry is dropped onto a flat substrate like a silicon wafer. Thesubstrate is dried and cut to adequate size. The substrate is set withalmost vertically tilted angle on the base of SEM (Scanning electronicmicroscope) and the thickness of the alumina flake is determined.

The thickness of more than 100 alumina flakes is measured for thecalculation of the thickness distribution. The standard deviation of thethickness is calculated with the Gaussian distribution equation.

Preparation for a Sprayed Panel

A base coat paint for automobiles is prepared according to the followingformulation.

<Base coat system> Acrylic-melamine resin system “Acrydic ® 47-712”* 70pbw “Superbekkamine ® G821-60”** 30 pbw Toluene 30 pbw Ethyl acetate 50pbw *Acrylic resin from Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc. **Melamine resinfrom Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.

<Base coat system> Acrylic-melamine resin system n-Butanol 110 pbwSolvesso ® #150  40 pbw

The above acrylic-melamine resin system (100 pbw) is incorporated with20 pbw of the pearlescent pigment according to one of the above givenExamples. The resulting compound is diluted with a thinner so that theresulting paint has an adequate consistency for spraying (12-15 seconds,for cup #4). This paint is applied to a substrate by spraying to form abase coat layer.

The base coated layer is coated further with a colorless top clear coatpaint, which is prepared according to the following formulation.

<Top Clear Coat System>

<Top clear coat system> “Acrydic ® 47-712” 14 pbw  “Superbekkamine ®L117-60” 6 pbw Toluene 4 pbw MIBK 4 pbw Butyl cellosolve 3 pbw

The top clear coating is exposed to air at 40° C. for 30 minutes andthen cured at 135° C. for 30 minutes.

Haze-gloss (BYK) is the analyzing equipment to evaluate luster and haze.In this patent application, the value of mirror gloss on 60° is measuredby Haze-gloss and represents the value of the luster. Compared to theprior art the coated Al₂O₃ flakes show very high values for the luster.High luster values are necessary to achieve a good appearance in theapplications. The haze values measured by this equipment are affected byspreading of the reflection angle. In this patent application, the widerspreading angle is important for the pearlescent appearance. The coatedAl₂O₃ flakes according to the present invention show very highhaze-gloss values. To differentiate the evaluation result, panels areused which are sprayed with a base coat before they are coated with atop clear coat for the haze-gloss measurement.

Wave-scan dual (BYK) is used as the analyzing equipment to measure thesurface flatness of the samples. Wa value represents the cyclic flatnessin the range of 0.1-0.3 mm. A smaller value in this patent applicationrepresents a flatter surface showing the advantages of the pigmentsaccording to the present invention.

Sprayed panels with a top clear coat are measured for Wa. Flattersurfaces have better finishing appearance.

BYK-mac is used to evaluate glitter effect. The SG value represents theglitter.

Wave-scan dual (BYK) is used to evaluate the finishing quality of paint.

The optical properties of the pearlescent pigments according to theabove given examples are summarized in the following table:

TABLE 1 Optical TiO₂ Particle size Average properties of coateddistribution of the thickness of TiO₂ coated Al₂O₃ Al₂O₃ Al₂O₃ flakes(μm) the Al₂O₃ flakes Al₂O₃ flakes flakes flakes D₁₀ D₅₀ D₉₀ (nm) SG WaE1 E1.1 9.0 19.6 38.8 700 8.5 13 CE1 CE1.1 4.8 13.0 22.0 200 2 21

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications,cited herein and of corresponding European Application No. 13002294.0,filed Apr. 30, 2013 are incorporated by reference herein.

1. A blended composition, comprising uncoated Al₂O₃ flakes having athickness of ≥500 nm and a D₅₀-value of 15-30 μm and a D₉₀-value of30-45 μm and/or coated Al₂O₃ flakes having a thickness of ≥500 nm and aD₅₀-value of 15-30 μm and a D₉₀-value of 30-45 μm, which have beencoated with at least one layer of a metal oxide, mixtures of at leasttwo metal oxides, metal, metal sulphide, titanium suboxide, titaniumoxynitride, FeO(OH), metal alloys and/or rare earth compounds, and oneor more of organic dyes, organic pigments, pigments, transparentpigments, opaque white pigments, colored pigments, black pigments,flake-form iron oxides, organic pigments, holographic pigments, liquidcrystal polymers, transparent luster pigments, colored luster pigments,black luster pigments based on metal oxide-coated mica, SiO₂ flakes,fillers, natural mica, synthetic mica, nylon powder, pure melamineresins, filled melamine resins, talc SiO₂, glasses, kaolin, oxides ofaluminum, oxides of magnesium, oxides of calcium, oxides of zinc,hydroxides of aluminum, hydroxides of magnesium, hydroxides of calcium,hydroxides of zinc, BiOCl, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, calciumcarbonate, magnesium carbonate, carbon, and physical or chemicalcombinations thereof.
 2. The blended composition according to claim 1,wherein the coated and/or uncoated Al₂O₃ flakes are α-alumina flakes. 3.The blended composition according to claim 1, wherein the coated and/oruncoated Al₂O₃ flakes have a D₉₀-value of 30-40 μm.
 4. The blendedcomposition according to claim 1, wherein the coated and/or uncoatedAl₂O₃ flakes have a particle thickness of 550-1000 nm.
 5. The blendedcomposition according to claim 1, wherein the coated and/or uncoatedAl₂O₃ flakes have been doped with TiO₂, ZrO₂, SiO₂, SnO₂, In₂O₃, ZnOand/or combinations thereof.
 6. The blended composition according toclaim 5, wherein characterised in that the amount of doping is 0.01-5%by weight based on the Al₂O₃ flake.
 7. The blended composition flakesaccording to claim 5, wherein the coated and/or uncoated Al₂O₃ flakeshave been doped with TiO₂.
 8. The blended composition according to claim1, which contain the Al₂O₃ flakes coated with at least one layer of ametal oxide, mixtures of at least two metal oxides, metal, metalsulphide, titanium suboxide, titanium oxynitride, FeO(OH), metal alloysor rare earth compounds.
 9. The blended composition according to claim1, wherein the Al₂O₃ flakes have been coated with at least one layer ofa metal oxide or a mixture of at least two metal oxides.
 10. The blendedcomposition according to claim 1, wherein the Al₂O₃ flakes have beencoated with the following layer sequence: Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂ Al₂O₃flake+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃ Al₂O₃ flake+Fe₂O₃ Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+Fe₂O₃ Al₂O₃flake+TiO₂+Fe₃O₄ Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+SiO₂+TiO₂ Al₂O₃ flake+Fe₂O₃+SiO₂+TiO₂Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃+SiO₂+TiO₂ Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+SiO₂+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃ Al₂O₃flake+TiO₂+SiO₂ Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+SiO₂/Al₂O₃ Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+Al₂O₃ Al₂O₃flake+SnO₂ Al₂O₃ flake+SnO₂+TiO₂₄ Al₂O₃ flake+SnO₂+Fe₂O₃ Al₂O₃flake+SiO₂ Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂ Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃ Al₂O₃flake+SiO₂+Fe₂O₃ Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+Fe₂O₃ Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+Fe₃O₄Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+SiO₂+TiO₂ Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+Fe₂O₃+SiO₂+TiO₂ Al₂O₃flake+SiO₂+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃+SiO₂+TiO₂ Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+SiO₂+TiO₂/Fe₂O₃Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+SiO₂ Al₂O₃ flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+SiO₂/Al₂O₃ Al₂O₃flake+SiO₂+TiO₂+Al₂O₃ Al₂O₃ flake+TiO₂+Prussian Blue or Al₂O₃flake+TiO₂+Carmine Red.
 11. The blended composition according to claim1, wherein the Al₂O₃ flakes have been are coated with TiO₂ in the rutileor anatase modification.
 12. The blended composition according to claim1, wherein the Al₂O₃ flakes have been coated with TiO₂ in the rutilemodification.
 13. The blended composition according to claim 1, whereinthe coated Al₂O₃ flakes consist of 40-90 wt. % of Al₂O₃ flakes and 10-60wt. % of the coating based on the total pigment.
 14. (canceled)
 15. Aformulations from the areas of paints, coatings, automobile coatings,automotive finishing, industrial coatings, paints, powder coatings,printing inks, security printing inks, plastics, ceramic materials,cosmetics, glasses, paper, paper coating, toners for electrophotographicprinting processes, seeds, greenhouse sheeting and tarpaulins, thermallyconductive, self-supporting, electrically insulating, flexible sheetsfor the insulation of machines or devices, as absorber in the lasermarking of paper and plastics, absorber in the laser welding ofplastics, pigment pastes with water, organic and/or aqueous solvents, inpigment preparations and dry preparations, which comprises the blendedcomposition according to claim
 1. 16. A formulation containing 0.01-95%by weight the blended composition according to claim 1, based on theformulation as a whole.
 17. A formulation containing the blendedcomposition according to claim 1 and at least one component selectedfrom the group consisting of water, polyols, polar and nonpolar oils,fats, waxes, film formers, polymers, copolymers, surfactants,free-radical scavengers, antioxidants, stabilisers, odour enhancers,silicone oils, emulsifiers, solvents, preservatives, thickeners,rheological additives, fragrances, colorants, effect pigments, UVabsorbers, surface-active assistants and/or cosmetic active compounds,fillers, binders, pearlescent pigments, color pigments and organic dyes.